What are the
Reiki Principles?

The
Reiki Principles are the guidelines that Dr Usui created after his experiences in the
ghetto of Kyoto where he painfully learnt the lesson of not teaching gratitude
to those who he treated. He learnt
that we can only be grateful for those things we place some sort of value on and
respect for.

From
that point on he then followed and taught along these guidelines to get pupils
to take responsibility for themselves and others.

There are 5 Reiki
Principles that were written as part of Dr Mikao Usui's
Reiki teachings. He summarised Emperor Meiji's
works (an Emperor that Dr Usui was thought to have been
an admirer of) into a set of ethical principles which he
believed helped a person find the right path in working
and living with Reiki.

Today, the 5 Reiki
principles are felt to be the lynch pin of Reiki
teaching and it is common for people to live and abide
by them.

The original translation
is below:

Kanji

Rōmaji

English

招福の秘法,萬病の霊薬.

今日丈けは:

怒るな,

心配すな,

感謝して,

業をはけめ,

人に親切に.

朝夕合掌して心に念じ,口に唱へよ.

心身改善.臼井霊氣療法.

肇祖,臼井甕男.

Shōfuku no
hihō,
Manbyō no reiyaku.

Kyō dake wa:

Okoru na,

Shinpai su na,

Kansha shite,

Gyō wo
hakeme,

Hito ni
shinsetsu ni.

Asayū gasshō
shite kokoro ni nenji,
Kuchi ni tonae yo.

Shinshin kaizen.
Usui Reiki Ryōhō.

Chōso,
Usui Mikao.

The secret art of
inviting happiness,
The miraculous medicine for all diseases.

At least for
today:

Do not be
angry,

Do not worry,

Be grateful,

Work with
diligence,

Be kind to
people.

Every morning and
evening, join your hands in meditation and pray
with your heart.
State in your mind and chant with your mouth.

For improvement
of mind and body.
Usui Reiki Ryōhō.

The founder,
Mikao Usui.

Taken
from Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia,
search: Reiki

However, the
western translation commonly adopted by many Reiki
teachers is:

Just
for today, Do not anger
Just
for today, Do not worry
Honour
your Parents, Teachers and Elders
Earn
your, Living Honestly
Show
gratitude, To every living thing
Dr.
Mikao Usui

It
is not uncommon for Reiki Masters to create their
own Reiki Principles along the lines of the
original version but adapted to the way they live
their life in modern times. An example of
this is Mari Hall's (a well known European Reiki
Master and Reiki book author) version which
details her explanation, line by line:

Just
for today, I will let go of anger
Just
for today, I will let go of worry
Today,
I will count my many blessings
Today,
I will do my work honestly
Today,
I will be kind to every living creature
Her
own definition of these principles are:
Just
for today, I will let go of anger

Mari Hall

To
let go of anger is to release what is blocking us from loving unconditionally.
Anger is really an unnecessary emotion, which will separate us from the
Universal Consciousness. When our
expectations about ourselves and others get the best of us, when we or they fail
to live up to these expectations or our needs and desires, then we become angry.
The people we are angry at have no realisation of our anger most of the
time. It hurt us more than it could
ever hurt them. Remember that all beings are brought into our lives as a
mirror and are the direct reflection of the cause and effect created by
ourselves. Our every thought sets
up a cause and effect. Through the
people who we bring into our lives, our mirrors, we can discover the weak points
in our egos. To be angry is very
destructive of our inner harmony. Be
aware of what causes the anger – just what is the expectation and/or demand?
Feel the emotion fully and release it. Anger is a reaction; the response is love.

“Do
not blame others by pointing out their faults. You will find upon self-examination that the faults you see in others are
in you. When you correct yourself,
the world becomes correct.”

Just
for today, I will let go of worry

When
we worry we have forgotten that there is a divine purpose in everything. When we are aware that we have lived each day the best we can, we know
that the rest is up to the Universe. When
we worry we separate ourselves from the Universal wholeness; also we are not
trusting that all is in divine order. To
worry creates more limitations. Surrender
to the plan of our higher self. All
is the divine order, release and trust.

“Nothing
is cast away by the mind. As a
consequence, grief, worry and misery continue to simmer in it. If only the mind can be taught renunciation, one can become a spiritually
serene person.”

Today,
I will count my blessings

Counting
our blessings means to be grateful for all of the abundance in our lives. We are thankful not only for what we have received, but also for our
every blessing large and small, we attract more blessings to us. Our fear of not having, (lack), keeps us from accepting what
is truly ours by divine right. What
we are able to see, we shall have, what we think, we think we shall create.
If we feel subconsciously unworthy of receiving abundance or blessings
from the Universe, we will in some way block the flow of life’s riches and
blessings to us. Riches not only in
a material sense, but also emotionally, mentally and spiritually as well. I see how abundantly I am blessed in my life.
All things nourish me and I am grateful.

“To
those who have an insight into life, everything has a meaning. To those whose eyes are open, everything fits into place.”

Today,
I will do my work honestly

To
live life honestly is to be aligned with our higher self’s purpose. By being honest with ourselves and facing the truth in all matters, we
can live a truly harmonious life. Truth
brings clarity. When we are honest
with ourselves, we project honesty onto others. By being honest in our work, this truth is reinforced by the resulting
love for ourselves and others. This
honesty creates harmony in our lives and in our world. We complete the task with less effort.
As we clearly see and acknowledge the lessons our life opens before us.

Today,
I will be kind to every living creature

As
we love and are kind to all living creatures, we experience a sense of unity.
We are all of one source. By
not being kind to someone, we are not actually loving and respecting ourselves,
for we are a part of each other. When
we accept all aspects of ourselves, then we can accept others. It is always from ourselves to others, from others to
ourselves. We are reflections of
the divine light. Kindness is love. “Do not do unto another what you
DO NOT LIKE to be done to
yourself. For the other is you.”

Mari
Hall then goes on to say: “It is
important to keep in mind that we all do not think and respond alike in life.
We are unique individuals, all making our way in life with Reiki. By insisting on our way, being better or standing in judgement of each
other, we create separateness. Be
willing to listen with an open mind. We
do not have to agree with what is said, but everyone has choice.”

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